High rate electrochemical cell

Abstract

An active metal non-aqueous electrochemical cell includes an anode selected from lithium metal and intercalated lithium compounds, an electrolyte system consisting essentially of an SO2 solvent containing an amount of electrolyte salt, and a solid liquid or gaseous cathode active material selected from a class of materials which are reduced in preference to SO2, wherein the amount of cathode material is generally limiting with respect to the desired discharge reaction.

We claim: 
     
       1. A non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising: (a) an anode selected from lithium metal and intercalated lithium compounds;   (b) an electrolyte system including SO 2  solvent containing electrolyte salt;   (c) a liquid or gaseous cathode material that is reduced in preference to SO 2 , selected from the group consisting of oxyhalides including SO 2  Cl 2  and SOCl 2 , wherein the amount of cathode material is such that it is essentially consumed during a designed normal cell discharge reaction cycle in a manner that renders the cell cathode-limited.   
     
     
       2. The electrochemical call of claim 1 wherein the cathode material is selected from the group consisting of SO 2  Cl 2  and SOCl 2 . 
     
     
       3. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 further comprising additional dopant materials in the electrolyte solution selected from halogen and interhalogen compounds. 
     
     
       4. The electrochemical cell of claim 2 further comprising additional dopant materials in the electrolyte solution selected from halogen and interhalogen compounds. 
     
     
       5. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte salt is selected form LiAlCl 4 , LiBr, LiASF 6 , LiBF 4 , or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       6. The electrochemical cell of claim 4 wherein the electrolyte salt is selected form LiAlCl 4 , LiBr, LiASF 6 , LiBF 4 , or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       7. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 wherein the cell is a reserve cell. 
     
     
       8. A non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising: (a) an anode including lithium or a reversible lithium intercalation material;   (b) an electrolyte system including SO 2  solvent and an electrolyte salt selected from the group consisting of lithium salts and combinations thereof;   (c) a solid cathode reactant material that is reduced in preference to SO 2  and selected from the group consisting of Li x  CoO 2  (0.4≦×≦1.0), LINiO 2 , V 2  O 5 , a transition metal oxide, or any lithiated manganese dioxide material, wherein the amount of cathode material is such that it is essentially consumed during a designed normal cell discharge reaction cycle in a manner that renders the cell cathode-limited.   
     
     
       9. The electrochemical cell of claim 8 wherein the cell is a reserve cell.